Former CAK star Sophia Schubert wins U.S. Women's Amateur golf championship
Birdies on two of the final three holes in stroke-play qualifying early in the week gave Sophia Schubert an indication that something special might be happening.
She was right.
After being middle-of-the-pack following the 36-hole qualifying, the 21-year-old from Oak Ridge put on an amazing run with six victories and won the U.S. Women’s Amateur golf tournament Sunday at San Diego Country Club in Chula Vista, Calif.
Schubert, who will be a senior at the University of Texas, won handily 6 and 5 over Albane Valenzuela in the 36-hole finale.
“Sophia played ultra-conservatively in the qualifying,” said Texas coach Ryan Murphy, who served as Schubert’s caddie. “We knew she’d be able to turn it on during the match play.
“With every victory, you saw her gain more and more confidence.”
Schubert, a former standout at Christian Academy of Knoxville, shot consecutive rounds of 2-over-par 74 to finish tied for 38th at 4-over 148 to make it to the match-play rounds and avoid the cut by two shots.
“You never know what’s going to happen,” Schubert said in a phone interview after the victory. “In the qualifying, I was 4-over heading into the last three holes (of the second round). When I birdied two of the three, I knew I was capable of playing pretty well.”
She eliminated Naomi Ko of Canada 4 and 3 in the Round of 64. Next it was a 3 and 2 victory over Krystal Quihuis of Tucson, Ariz., in Round of 32.
In the Round of 16, Schubert ousted Zoe Campos of Valencia, Calif., 7 and 6. In the quarterfinals, she knocked off Isabella Fierro of Mexico 3 and 1. And in the semifinals, Schubert got past Chia Yen Wu of Chinese Taipei 2 up.
Schubert saved the best for last. She was 4-up after 18 holes, having to battle complacency in the final 18 as much as anything.
“We stuck to our routine,” Murphy said of the plan heading into the final 18. “She felt pretty calm, so I knew it would be a good day.”
A Champion's Interview: Sophia Schubert
Schubert’s blood pressure may have spiked a bit early. Valenzuela, a 19-year-old rising sophomore and the reigning Pac-12 champion from Stanford, birdied the first hole to remind Schubert it wasn’t going to be easy.
“I knew that things could change quickly,” Schubert said. “What made this a special round was my attitude. I was confident the whole time. I knew I wasn’t going to let it get away from me.”
There was never a doubt. Schubert wrapped up the title with a two-putt par on the par 3, 182-yard 13th hole.
A strange hole on which to end, given Schubert’s superstitions and quirks.
“I’m just going to forget what hole it ended on,” she said with a laugh. “I’m kinda weird. I hate odd numbers. But, heck, I’ll take it. This is my career highlight.”
The victory gives Schubert an exemption for next year’s tournament and likely invites to to three majors - the Evian Championship in September, the ANA Inspiration in March and the Women's British Open next August.
Schubert’s win broke a string of nine straight U.S. Women’s Amateur victories by players under 20 years old.
“There were a lot of young girls in this tournament,” Schubert said. “This proves that some of us older players can still play. Good things can happen at any age.”
Al Lesar is a freelance contributor.